NBA Player News

Memphis will be making some changes to the starting lineup after dropping two consecutive games. Pippen Jr. and Aldama will replace Luke Kennard and Zach Edey in the opening unit. It is an interesting adjustment against Ivica Zubac since this will be a smaller starting unit for Memphis, though Pippen Jr. will provide them with a true point guard presence in the starting lineup.

Harden is dealing with a sore right foot, which he injured during Sunday’s loss to the Thunder. If he’s unable to play against the Knicks, the Clippers will have to fill a massive void in their starting lineup. Kris Dunn, already a starter, would have a higher ceiling, while Derrick Jones Jr., Bogdan Bogdanovic and Amir Coffey are potential replacements in the starting lineup. Of those three, Bogdanovic would offer the highest offensive ceiling as a starter.

Toronto continues to stagger availability for its starters, and IQ and Poeltl will be the next men up to ride the bench against the Nets. The pair sat out Sunday’s matchup with San Antonio and were replaced in the starting five by Jamal Shead and Colin Castleton. Shead and Castleton may be in line for another start, but Shead is the only player worth streaming.

Boucher has not appeared in a game since February 26, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. The Raptors will continue to lean on Ochai Agbaji, Jonathan Mobgo and AJ Lawson, getting those players additional playing time whether they start or come off the bench. Agbaji offers the highest fantasy upside in the short term since he’s been in the starting lineup.

Grimes took Monday night off after posting a 26/5/6 line in Sunday’s loss to Atlanta, but he’s been putting the Sixers on his back for the last month. In that span, Grimes comfortably leads his team in scoring with 24.9 points per game to go with 4.5 assists, 4.5 boards, 3.2 triples and 1.9 steals. He’s been a top 40 fantasy option over the last 14 games, and there’s no reason to think his hot streak will end any time soon.

Due to a concussion and a head injury, Walker has missed six of Philadelphia’s last seven games. A sprained neck will sideline him for Wednesday’s game against the Wizards, leaving the 76ers light on players on the wing. Ricky Council IV and recent signing Marcus Bagley will play increased minutes, with the former in the starting lineup. Council is worthy of streaming consideration in deep leagues.

McDermott was a late scratch for Monday’s loss to the Celtics, as he was absent from the initial injury report. His availability does not impact fantasy basketball, as the veteran forward is not guaranteed rotation minutes when he is healthy.

Monk and Carter missed Monday’s loss to the Celtics, with the former’s absence opening up a place in the starting lineup. Keon Ellis filled the void, playing 37 minutes, while Markelle Fultz logged 11 as the backup. Ellis will return to the bench if Monk can play, while Carter’s availability does not significantly impact fantasy basketball.

According to Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer, Beal is progressing in his recovery from a strained hamstring. However, he has not done any 5-on-5 work, so the Suns’ guard will not play on Wednesday. Collin Gillespie has filled the void in the starting lineup, but he’s been more valuable to Phoenix than to fantasy managers. Also, Ryan Dunn’s fantasy ceiling has been raised, making him worth a look in deep leagues.

Gill didn’t play against the Raptors but did eclipse 20 minutes in three of his team’s previous four games. It’s likely that Justin Champagnie will get a lot of burn on Wednesday if Gill joins the Wizards’ growing list of inactive forwards.

Smart has missed a several games with finger and illness issues in March. His absence will likely give AJ Johnson a chance to get a heavy workload off the bench against Philadelphia.